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CHARLESTON, ILL -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball was tested again, but earned another double-digit home win over an Ohio Valley Conference newcomer to ring in the new year, defeating the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 69-58.  With the win, the Panthers improve to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in OVC play.  This marks the first time EIU has started 2-0 in OVC play since the 2014-15 season.

Miah Monahan hit the first field goal of the game to set the tone offensively for the Panthers.  After USI hit a three-pointer in response, EIU seized the momentum with a 12-2 run to take a 14-5 lead.  With EIU up 16-7 in the waning seconds of the quarter, USI hit a buzzer-beater layup to cut it to 16-9 going into the second period.  Lyric Johnson got the scoring started in the second quarter for EIU, scoring a fast break layup off of a pass from Monahan to make it 18-9.  After two USI free throws cut it back down to seven, EIU took over the momentum once more, using a 9-0 run highlighted by five straight from Monahan to take a 27-11 lead.  After a 6-2 Screaming Eagle run cut it to 29-17, EIU again took the momentum right back as a 9-2 run highlighted by seven from Lariah Washington made it 38-19 at the half. 

The Panthers smothered the Screaming Eagles defensively in the second quarter, as USI did not hit their first shot of the quarter until there was 3:55 remaining and went just 2-of-10 from the field for the period.

"I felt like it was absolutely the best half we've played against a good team," said head coach Matt Bollant of EIU's first half.  "To be up 19 at half, [and] we held them to 19 points.  Against a good team, that said a lot."

USI came out firing in the second half, using a 12-2 run to make it a single-digit game early in the third quarter.  With EIU needing an offensive spark, Monahan answered the bell once again, drilling a three-pointer to up the lead back to 12.  After the Screaming Eagles cut it back to eight, Monahan went right back to work, going 1-for-2 from the free throw line, converting an and-one opportunity, finding an open Jackie Maulucci who drilled a straight-away three, and then finding Washington for an open jumper to up the lead back to 17 at 53-36.  The Panthers would ultimately lead by that margin at the end of the third quarter, 58-41.  Johnson scored the first two buckets of the final period to make it 62-41 and effectively put the game on ice for EIU.  USI would end on a 17-7 run to make the final margin 11.

Washington scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting and had two steals.  Monahan had a career day, scoring a career-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and dishing out five assists.  This marks the seventh game this season where she has dished out at least five assists.

"That probably was the best offensive game Miah's played all year,"  said coach Bollant.  "7-of-9 from the field, 20 points, five assists, she just was really complete, and I was impressed with her."

Johnson scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.  Macy McGlone contributed with six points and five rebounds while Taris Thornton had five points and four rebounds off the bench.  

As a team, EIU double up USI in points off turnovers, 26-13.  EIU forced USI into 25 turnovers, the most that they have forced in a game all season.

Up next, the Panthers will head on the road for their first OVC road matchup of the season against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Thursday, January 5.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM CT.